busy interviewing the victims and eyewitnesses

Question

Since their arrival in the capital, the team members have been busy interviewing the victims and eyewitnesses, and exchanging views with cross-sections of people, including journalists, political activists and civil society members. They also visited the hotspots that have witnessed communal tensions and riots in the last few months. The team will wrap up their visit on 20 August, and is scheduled to hold a press briefing in the evening of the following day before leaving.

Are there any mistakes? Thanks.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Hi Abil,

There's no point in making "cross-section" plural. I've never seen it. I guess you want to say that over several days they've exchanged views with cross-section A, cross section B, cross section C, etc., as opposed to spending several days exchanging views with the same big cross section. I think we'd naturally assume the exchanges were with individuals and small groups, at different times, representing a cross section. Yours would not be a common usage.

"Civil society members" and "communal tensions" are not expressions I have ever heard. What do you wish to describe?

"in the evening of the following day before leaving" is confusing as all get-out!

Best wishes, - A.

Abil · Answer

AvangiHi Abil,

There's no point in making "cross-section" plural. I've never seen it. I guess you want to say that over several days they've exchanged views with cross-section A, cross section B, cross section C, etc., as opposed to spending several days exchanging views with the same big cross section. I think we'd naturally assume the exchanges were with individuals and small groups, at different times, representing a cross section. Yours would not be a common usage.

"Civil society members" and "communal tensions" are not expressions I have ever heard. What do you wish to describe?

"in the evening of the following day before leaving" is confusing as all get-out!

Thanks Avangi for your comment.

1. Cross-section has plural "cross-sections" (Collins COBUILD ENGLISH DICTIONARY)

2. Intellectuals, cultural personalities, NGO bosses etc are generally referred to as civil society members, as opposed to the state actors or government officers.

3. Communal tensions are tensions between two ethnic or religious communities.

4. I should have said "wrap up their fact finding activities or something like that on 20 Augsut" and not "wrap up the visit" because the team's visit covers the press conference as well.

Avangi · Answer

Thanks for the clarifications, Abil. I guess I'll have to go back to College.  Trouble is, I can't afford it!   - A.

Abil · Answer

Avangi,

You are not familiar with some of the terms such as "civil society" because these terms perhaps are not often used in the country you live. On the other hand, these terms are frequently used in the "developing countries" and specially in the Indian sub-continent, where I live.

Everything is in constant change, including the language and the meaning and usage of words. Like you, I am also a helpless spectator to some of the changes that are taking place in other
arena.

Thanks you.

busy interviewing the victims and eyewitnesses

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